Classic Beef Chili & Frito Pie

November is prime camping weather. Just before we start barrelling into the holidays, Jason and I always try to go camping, and this year, we were able to go with two of my favorite people.  Jason's brother, Kevin, and his girlfriend, Erica. 

Both of these kids stay pretty busy at school.  Kevin is studying engineering at VMI and Erica is studying occupational therapy at Virginia Tech. All that to say, we don't get to see them that much, so getting to hang out with them was phenomenal.  

And, we had chili.  Chili is my favorite camping meal.  Make it ahead in the crock pot and freeze it.  Then, the let it thaw in the cooler on the way to the mountains and all you have to do is heat it up for dinner on your camp stove. BAM! But it wasn't just delicious, American beef and bean chili.  Sometimes the presentation changes everything. Enter the fritos. 

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camping at lake gaston

This weekend, we went camping in Littleton, NC with Jason's family.  It was my first camping trip with the Kneisler's, and though eventful, it was a blast. 

Littleton is right on the banks of Lake Gaston and it was one of the best campsites I've been to yet. Friday night we made the drive to Little and set up our tents in the dark, but we woke up to this view the next morning... GORGEOUS and well worth setting up camp in the middle of the night. After a breakfast of pancakes, camp eggs, bacon, and sausage, we rented a pontoon boat and spent the day on the water. 

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wonder.

Good morning.  Our apartment is chilly this morning, but already delightfully bright.  Sunshine is peeking through the blinds as I sip a warm cup of french press... I love the end of day lights savings time.  Cheerful mornings and starry evenings, and the onset of mid-autumn... Something about the cold, crisp weather awakens a need to ramble, to consider and reconsider my world, to explore truths, old and new. So, if you haven't already wandered to the next blog your blogroll, why don't you curl up on my couch and I'll make you a cup of coffee. 

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